Method and apparatus for improving a golfer's putting stroke

Abstract

A putter guide device and method for improving the putting stroke of a golfer. The device includes a flat mat having an opening at one end and a pair of perpendicular lines forming a “T” intersection. A pair of guide walls are magnetically held on the flat mat to enable a golfer to stroke a putter along a horizontal line between the pair of guide walls to repeatedly and accurately hit a golf ball held in the opening with the putter sweet spot. The method includes the use of the teaching device first without the guide walls and a golf ball, then with one guide wall and a golf ball and then with both guide walls. The guide walls may be adjusted to allow more or less space for a putter head being stroked therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for aiding a golfer in improving a putter stroke, comprising: 
       a flat mat having an opening for receiving a golf ball formed at one end;  
       perpendicular lines on a top surface of the flat mat forming a “T” intersection;  
       the opening in the flat mat having an inner end adjacent the “T” intersection:  
       a pair of guide walls removably mounted on the flat mat;  
       a plurality of rows of magnets holding the pair of guide walls to the flat mat; and  
       the pair of guide walls including sloped outer ends and straight inner portions for forming an adjustable channel through which a putter head may pass.  
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of rows of magnets are secured in the mat and in bottom flat portions of the pair of guide walls. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of rows of magnets alternate in polarity to allow the pair of guide walls to be adjusted in predetermined increments. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3  wherein each magnet in the plurality of rows of magnets is a strip magnet. 
     
     
       5. A device for aiding a golfer in improving a putter stroke, comprising: 
       a flat mat having an opening for receiving a golf ball formed at one end;  
       a pair of guide walls removably mounted on the flat mat; each of the pair of guide walls having a bottom flat portion for supporting each of the pair of guide walls on the flat mat, and which guide walls are shaped to guide a putter head to a proper location;  
       magnetic means holding the pair of guide walls to the flat mat; and  
       the pair of guide walls including sloped outer ends and straight inner portions for forming an adjustable channel through which a putter head may pass.  
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein the magnetic means is a plurality of alternating polarity rows of strip magnets held in the flat mat and the bottom flat portion of each of the pair of guide walls. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6  further including perpendicular lines formed on a top surface of the flat mat; the perpendicular lines forming a “T” intersection behind an inner end of the opening in the mat. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of alternating polarity rows of strip magnets are spaced about 0.125 inches apart. 
     
     
       9. A device for aiding a golfer in improving a putter stroke, comprising: 
       a flat mat having a bottom surface, a top surface, two sides and two ends;  
       an opening for receiving a golf ball formed in one of the two ends and extending between the bottom surface and the top surface;  
       a pair of perpendicular lines on the top surface forming a “T” intersection adjacent to an inner end of the opening with one of the pair of perpendicular lines aligned with the inner end;  
       a pair of guide walls removably supported on the flat, flexible mat;  
       the pair of guide walls including angled outer ends and straight central portions, which straight central portions are substantially parallel to the one of the pair of perpendicular lines; and  
       a plurality of magnets holding the pair of guide walls on the flat mat; the plurality of magnets being strip magnets arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, with each of the plurality of parallel rows containing strip magnets that are of opposite polarity to adjacent rows.  
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9  wherein the pair of guide walls include flat bottom portions having some of the plurality of parallel rows of strip magnets held therein. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of parallel rows of strip magnets are spaced apart approximately 0.125 inches. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  wherein the flat mat is flexible and the pair of guide walls form a channel to guide a head of a putter being stroked through the channel.